Some skateboarders are of a time and place, but when Tony Trujillo first made noise in his early teens, he blended genres and styles with unhinged technical prowess, instantly cementing him in the moment and ahead of the fray. Landing a coveted spot on skating’s underbelly with Anti-Hero at only 14-years-old, TNT redefined a punk approach in skating by being agnostic of any rules, mixing modern tricks with classic form on unfamiliar terrain. More than just ripping up the playbook, TNT inspired a new generation to open their bag of tricks and do with no abandon.
Throughout his career, video parts, and fronting his skate rock band, Bad Shit, the approach is pure and uniform: Put it all out there harder, faster, and wilder in any situation. From park to pipe to street, TNT owns it all with a signature slash and spring, as well as earning Thrasher’s aptly numbered 13th Skater of the Year award, first team win for “King of the Road,” and several pro models with Vans. With every bit of footage he’s logged, the feel and grit is the same whether the camera’s on or not. The slams are as integral as the makes and everything else along the way is war story for the quiver.